Little Snowball has come to call, and not only to call, but maybe to take up residence on the patio. Somebody told her we serve tuna treats at our house  no pet tricks necessary to get them  and that must have sounded pretty good to her, being a kitty who’d been dining on whatever she could find on the street.

(Illustration by Martha Stroud)

Although ghostly white, her tail is pale yellow. This probably accounts for her ability to hear even the tiniest bug scurrying on its way. As you may know, pure white cats with blue eyes can be deaf. But if there are hints of color in the coat, kitty is seldom at risk.

According to messybeast.com, white cats and even almost-white ones are rare. Ninety-five percent of the feline population comes in other colors. Regardless of color, the purr-sonality is what counts if you’re looking for a great companion. And Snowball, clearly born to be a pet, has purr-sonality to spare. She loves to dive into piles of leaves that I have just raked up. She will race after catnip mice for hours if I agree to be the pitcher. And the other morning, quite unexpectedly, she hopped into a patio chair, cuddled up in my arms and went sound asleep.

We sat there in the autumn sunshine. Work and its many problems and decisions seemed far away as the breeze ruffled Snowball’s fur and made the fading flowers dance. Gatito, Tony and Missy watched the bonding session curiously from the window. Used to being the whole show, they weren’t too sure they wanted to share my affections with the newcomer and their jury is still out. My verdict, however, is in. I’m smitten by this kitten who haunts the garden.